Irresistible Gluten-Free Christmas Blondies: Soft, Chewy & Perfectly Festive

Get ready to add a new favorite to your holiday baking repertoire with these incredibly soft and chewy Christmas Blondies! Bursting with the comforting flavor of peanut butter and adorned with cheerful red, white, and green sprinkles, these delightful bars are the epitome of festive cheer. Best of all, they’re crafted to be entirely gluten-free and dairy-free, making them a wonderfully inclusive treat for all your holiday gatherings, gifting, or adding to those coveted Christmas cookie boxes.

If you’re a connoisseur of classic blondies, prepare to be enchanted by this holiday-inspired rendition. The rich, nutty notes of peanut butter perfectly complement the sweet, caramelized essence that defines a great blondie, all elevated by a playful shower of seasonal sprinkles. These aren’t just a dessert; they’re a celebration in every bite!

This beloved recipe is a festive spin on my popular almond flour blondies, which feature a luscious combination of almond butter and dark chocolate chips. If you haven’t yet indulged in those, I highly recommend adding them to your “must-bake” list for a different, equally satisfying experience.

For those who appreciate the versatility and benefits of almond flour in baking, you’ll also want to explore these fantastic vanilla almond flour cupcakes and this bright, zesty lemon almond flour cake. Both are simple to prepare and showcase the incredible texture and flavor that almond flour can bring to your baked goods.

But for now, let’s dive into the delicious details of creating these show-stopping Christmas blondies!

Why These Christmas Blondies Will Be Your New Holiday Favorite

There are countless reasons to fall in love with this Christmas blondies recipe, making it an essential addition to your holiday baking traditions:

• Irresistible Soft and Chewy Texture: Unlike a dry, cakey blondie, these are designed for ultimate chewiness. The precise balance of flours and sugars creates a rich, dense, and moist interior that melts in your mouth, making each bite truly satisfying.
• Dietary-Friendly Delights: Catering to various dietary needs is a breeze! These blondies are naturally dairy-free and gluten-free (just ensure your sprinkles are certified as such), meaning more friends and family can enjoy them without worry. This makes them perfect for potlucks and parties where guests may have sensitivities.
• Perfect for Gifting and Make-Ahead Baking: The holiday season is bustling, and having a reliable, make-ahead treat is a game-changer. These blondies store and freeze exceptionally well, allowing you to prepare them in advance and simply pull them out when you’re ready to share. They make beautiful, thoughtful gifts for neighbors, teachers, and loved ones.
• Endlessly Customizable for Any Occasion: While designed with Christmas in mind, the basic recipe is incredibly versatile. By simply changing the color and type of sprinkles, you can adapt these blondies for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Easter, or any celebration throughout the year.

A Deep Dive into Key Ingredients for Perfect Blondies

Understanding the role of each ingredient is key to achieving blondie perfection. Here’s why specific components are chosen for this recipe:

• Brown Sugar: The Secret to Caramel Chewyness
  I cannot overstate the importance of brown sugar in blondies. Through extensive recipe testing, it has become clear that brown sugar is absolutely essential. Its molasses content not only imparts a deep, rich caramel flavor but also contributes significantly to the signature soft and chewy texture we all crave in a blondie. For these reasons, I strongly advise against substituting brown sugar with white granulated sugar, as it will alter both the flavor profile and the desired texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Flavor Enhancer Extraordinaire
  This recipe calls for a generous tablespoon of vanilla extract – a quantity often exceeding what’s found in many other cookie and bar recipes. This isn’t an oversight! Vanilla plays a crucial role in enhancing and deepening the warm, complex caramel notes that brown sugar provides. For the best possible flavor, always use pure vanilla extract, not artificial vanilla flavoring, as the real deal offers a more nuanced and impactful taste.
• Natural Peanut Butter: Smooth Operator for Creaminess
  The peanut butter in this recipe needs to cream seamlessly with the sugars and coconut oil. Therefore, a smooth, natural peanut butter is highly recommended. Natural peanut butter, with its simpler ingredient list (often just peanuts and salt), tends to have a more fluid consistency once stirred, which is ideal for achieving a smooth, well-emulsified batter. (Please note, this recipe has not been tested with shelf-stable peanut butter, which can be much thicker and behave differently in baking). I personally use a salted natural peanut butter, which subtly enhances the overall flavor. If your peanut butter is unsalted, simply add an extra pinch of kosher salt to the dry ingredients to balance the sweetness.
• Almond and Coconut Flours: The Gluten-Free Power Duo
  This carefully selected combination of almond flour and coconut flour is the magic behind these blondies being both gluten-free and possessing that desirable chewy texture. Almond flour provides a rich, moist crumb and structure, while coconut flour, known for its high absorbency, helps to balance the moisture and adds a subtle tenderness without making the blondies dry. Together, they create a perfect gluten-free base that tastes indulgent.
• Coconut Oil: Dairy-Free Richness
  Virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil serves as the dairy-free fat in this recipe. It’s crucial that the coconut oil is softened, but not fully melted, when you combine it with the sugars and peanut butter. This allows it to cream properly and contribute to the rich, tender texture of the blondies. If it’s too solid, it won’t incorporate; if it’s completely liquid, it can throw off the batter consistency.
• Eggs: Binders and Leaveners
  Large, room temperature eggs act as a binder, holding the ingredients together, and contribute to the structure and richness of the blondies. Bringing them to room temperature ensures they emulsify better with the fats and sugars, leading to a smoother, more uniform batter.
• Baking Powder and Kosher Salt: For Lift and Balance
  Baking powder provides the necessary lift, giving the blondies a slight rise and tender crumb. Kosher salt, beyond just flavor, helps to balance the sweetness of the sugars and peanut butter, enhancing all the other flavors.
• Christmas Sprinkles: The Festive Finale
  I love using a vibrant mix of red, white, and green sprinkles to give these blondies their undeniable holiday charm. However, feel free to use any mix of holiday sprinkles that catches your eye! Remember, if you need these blondies to remain dairy-free and gluten-free, it is absolutely essential to double-check that your chosen sprinkles are certified as such. Not all sprinkles are created equal when it comes to dietary restrictions.

Crafting Your Christmas Blondies: A Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these detailed steps to bake your perfect batch of festive blondies:

1. Prepare Your Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan. Then, line it with parchment paper, making sure to leave an overhang on two sides. This “sling” will make it incredibly easy to lift the baked blondies out of the pan later.
2. Cream the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, cane sugar, room temperature natural peanut butter, and softened (not melted) coconut oil. Using an electric mixer, beat these ingredients on high speed until they are thoroughly combined and creamy. This initial creaming step is vital for incorporating air and creating a light, fluffy base.
3. Aerate with Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate. Once the eggs are mixed in, add the generous tablespoon of vanilla extract. Continue to beat the mixture on medium-high speed for a good few minutes. You’ll notice the mixture transforming from a dark brown to a lighter, golden brown color and becoming noticeably thicker and more aerated. This step is crucial for achieving that desirable chewy texture and preventing the blondies from sinking after baking.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk or sift together the almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, and kosher salt. Sifting helps to remove any lumps and ensures even distribution of the leavening agent.
5. Gently Mix Dry into Wet: With your electric mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix only until the dry ingredients are just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough blondies. A few streaks of flour are perfectly fine; you’ll finish mixing by hand.
6. Fold in Sprinkles: Remove the bowl from the mixer. Gently stir in most of your festive sprinkles using a spatula, being careful not to crush them. Reserve a handful of sprinkles to scatter on top of the batter before baking for an extra pop of color.
7. Spread the Batter: Transfer the thick and sticky batter into your prepared 8-inch pan. Because the batter is quite dense, you might find it easiest to use a spatula or even your clean, lightly oiled fingers (a trick is to spray a sandwich bag with non-stick spray and use it like a glove) to spread it out evenly into all corners of the pan. Once spread, scatter the remaining reserved sprinkles over the top.
8. Bake to Perfection: Bake for 24-26 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached (not wet batter). Remember, blondies continue to cook slightly after being removed from the oven, so it’s better to slightly underbake than overbake for that soft, chewy center.
9. Cool Completely: This step is non-negotiable for perfectly structured blondies. Let the blondies cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. As they cool, they will set up and firm, making them much easier to cut cleanly. Once completely cool, use the parchment paper overhangs to lift the entire slab out of the pan and onto a cutting board.
10. Cut and Serve: Cut the blondies into 16 even squares. Serve immediately or store for later enjoyment.

Storage and Freezing Guidelines for Freshness

These peanut butter blondies are not only delicious but also incredibly easy to store, making them ideal for holiday prep:

• Room Temperature Storage: For optimal freshness and texture, these blondies keep best at room temperature. Simply place them in an airtight container, and they will stay wonderfully soft and chewy for 5-6 days. Avoid refrigerating, as it can sometimes dry them out or make them overly firm.
• Freezing for Long-Term Enjoyment: To extend their shelf life, these blondies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Once they are completely cooled and cut into squares, arrange them in a freezer-safe container. For best results and to prevent them from sticking together, layer them between sheets of wax paper or parchment paper. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply let them defrost at room temperature for a few hours.

Expert Tips for Baking Your Best Christmas Blondies

Achieving bakery-quality blondies at home is easy with these key tips:

• Room Temperature is Key: Ensure all your cold ingredients, especially eggs and peanut butter, are brought to room temperature before you begin. This allows them to mix together easily and evenly, creating a smooth, emulsified batter. Cold ingredients can cause the coconut oil to firm up, leading to a lumpy or inconsistent batter that affects the final texture.
• Taming Sticky Batter: Blondie batter is naturally thick and sticky. Don’t fight it! A clever trick is to spray a little non-stick cooking spray on a sandwich bag (or wear a clean kitchen glove) and use it to gently press and spread the batter into the pan with your fingers. This prevents the batter from sticking to your hands and ensures an even layer.
• Pan Size Matters: This recipe is designed for an 8-inch square pan. If you opt for a 9-inch square pan, be aware that your blondies will be thinner. As a result, they will require a slightly shorter baking time – start checking for doneness a few minutes earlier to avoid overbaking.
• Aeration Prevents Sinking: Blondies typically puff up beautifully during baking but can sometimes sink slightly in the middle as they cool. In my experience, this often occurs when the batter hasn’t been adequately aerated. To counteract this, make sure your sugars, peanut butter, and coconut oil are thoroughly creamed. Crucially, once the eggs and vanilla are added, continue beating the batter on medium-high speed for several minutes until it visibly thickens and its color lightens. This incorporates enough air to create a stable structure.
• Avoid Overbaking at All Costs: This is perhaps the most critical tip for perfectly soft and chewy blondies. Blondies continue to cook from residual heat after they are removed from the oven. Aim to take them out when the edges are lightly golden brown and the center still looks a tiny bit underbaked or soft – a toothpick inserted should come out with moist crumbs, not liquid batter. Overbaking will result in dry, crumbly blondies, and the bottoms are likely to burn.
• Patience with Cooling: Resist the urge to cut into your blondies too soon! They need to cool fully and completely firm up before you slice them into bars. Cutting them while warm can lead to crumbling, uneven slices, and a less-than-ideal texture. Let them rest on a wire rack until they reach room temperature.

Creative Recipe Variations for Custom Blondies

While delicious as is, these Christmas blondies are a fantastic canvas for your creativity. Here are some ideas to customize them for any occasion:

• Chocolate Chip Magic: Instead of traditional sprinkles, fold in your favorite holiday-themed chocolate chips (red and green mint chips, white chocolate chips, or even dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor).
• M&M Mania: For an extra festive touch and a satisfying crunch, press some red and green holiday M&Ms into the tops of the blondies as soon as they come out of the oven. The residual heat will slightly melt them, ensuring they stick.
• Year-Round Funfetti: Don’t reserve these delightful bars just for Christmas! Swap out the holiday sprinkles for birthday sprinkles, pastel sprinkles for Easter, or orange and black for Halloween to create funfetti blondies suitable for any time of year.
• Butterscotch or Peanut Butter Chips: Enhance the peanut butter flavor even further by adding butterscotch chips or extra peanut butter chocolate chips to the batter. These complement the base perfectly and add another layer of sweetness.
• Nutty Additions: For those who love extra crunch, consider folding in chopped walnuts or pecans along with the sprinkles.
• Drizzle of Glaze: Once cooled, a simple powdered sugar glaze (made with powdered sugar and a touch of milk or water) can add an extra layer of sweetness and visual appeal. You can even tint it green or red for Christmas!
• Extract Experiments: A tiny hint of peppermint extract (about 1/4 teaspoon) can transform these into minty peanut butter blondies for an exciting holiday twist.

Discover More Festive Christmas Cookie Bars

If you’re looking to expand your holiday baking menu with more delicious and easy-to-make bar recipes, check out these other crowd-pleasers from my collection:

• Peppermint Mocha Fudge Brownies: Rich, decadent, and bursting with holiday flavors.
• Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: A delightful blend of sweet and tart, perfect for the season.
• Chocolate Oat Bars with Chai Spices: A cozy, spiced treat that’s perfect with a warm drink.

If you embark on the delightful journey of making this Christmas blondies recipe, I would absolutely love to hear your thoughts and see your creations! Please share your feedback in the comments section below – your experiences are incredibly valuable.

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